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CFO 'Troubled' By Wireless Network Failures After Hurricane Michael, Wants New FCC Regulations

CFO Jimmy Patronis wants new regulations for wireless companies after Hurricane Michael.
Tampa Bay Times
CFO Jimmy Patronis wants new regulations for wireless companies after Hurricane Michael.
CFO Jimmy Patronis wants new regulations for wireless companies after Hurricane Michael.
Credit Tampa Bay Times
CFO Jimmy Patronis wants new regulations for wireless companies after Hurricane Michael.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis wants wireless networks to be better prepared for disasters. Patronis is calling on the Federal Communications Commission to enact new regulations.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis wants the FCC to require new safeguards for wireless communication companies. In a letter sent Friday, Patronis said he is “troubled by how catastrophic the failure of wireless communications have been in this storm.”

Patronis calls on FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to adopt new rules for telecommunication companies. He suggests new infrastructure standards to prevent extend downtime and opening roaming agreements between carriers.

A number of officials have complained about wireless failures after Hurricane Michael. Governor Rick Scott, along with Patronis, have singled out Verizon for its slow recovery.

Verizon is giving three months of free service to customers in Bay, Gulf, Calhoun, Franklin, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Wakulla and Washington counties.

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Shawn Mulcahy is a junior at Florida State University pursuing a degree in public relations and political science. Before WFSU, he worked as an Account Coordinator at RB Oppenheim Associates and a contributing indie writer for the music blog EARMILK. After graduation, he plans to work in journalism or government communications. He enjoys coffee, reading and music.